ROCHESTER, N.Y. — Two more players are returning to the Rochester Lancers’ fold for the Major Arena Soccer League season — Alex Harling and Austin Gerber, it was announced Tuesday.
Both players were part of last season’s M2 indoor Lancers and the National Premier Soccer League outdoor side. Harling and Gerber helped both temas eams reach the playoff. As per league and team policies, no further terms of the agreement were disclosed.
“Alex and Austin are the two fastest players I have seen in a long time,” Lancers owner Salvatore “SoccerSam” Fantauzzo said. “I think both of these Rochester standouts will be top scorers in the upcoming MASL season.”
Born and raised in Rochester, Harling attended Rush-Henrietta High School and played three seasons as a midfielder. He made All-Monroe County and Section V Select Team. Harling attended college at Roberts Wesleyan College, making more 50 starts as a defender.
Harling, a key member of the team that went to a national tournament, played in 12 M2 Lancers matches, recording three assists in the regular season and one playoff goal as a defender. In the 2019 NPSL season, Harling played 12 games and was named the Kick This! defender of the year.
He has been converted into a forward for this season.
Harling is Metrology Technician, and he and can solve a Rubik Cube in under a minute.
Also born and raised in Rochester, Gerber attended Churchville-Chili High School, where he earned first team All-Section 5 team honors. Gerber registered 45 goals and 12 assists at Keuka College, earning rookie of the year Honors, and was selected on the All-Conference team for all four seasons.
Gerber was player of the year and first team All-Region Honors as a senior. He broke the season goal record at Keuka with 26. He also scored a school-record five goals in a game. Harling led NCAA divisions in goals scored, goals per game and points per game.
In 2015, Gerber was invited to the MLS combines, but he was hampered by injuries. Gerber appeared in 10 M2 games, recording six goals and one assist. In the 2019 NPSL season, Gerber tallied four goals and assist in 11 games.
The Lancers kick off their return to the MASL with a visit to St. Catherines, Ontario for two games against MetroStars of Canada Nov. 22 and 24. Their home-opener is against Utica City FC at the Dome Arena Friday, Nov. 29.
